sunburn

verb sun·burn \ ˈsən-ˌbərn \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of sunburn

sunburned play \ˈsən-ˌbərnd\ or sunburnt play \ˈsən-ˌbərnt\; sunburning

transitive verb

: to burn or discolor by the sun

intransitive verb

: to become sunburned

See sunburn defined for kids

Recent Examples of sunburn from the Web

Applying sunscreen to the entire area predisposed to sunburn is strongly recommended.

— patty khuly, miamiherald, "In summer, your light-skinned dogs need nontoxic sunscreen | Miami Herald," 3 May 2018
Expert fix: Though aloe has always been the go-to sunburn soother because of its ability to cool skin and take down redness, Dhaval G. Bhanusali, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City thinks hyaluronic acid is even more effective.

— nicole catanese, Cosmopolitan, "The 8 Most Annoying Skin Problems Every Girl Deals With," 24 Aug. 2017
So what's a girl (or guy) to do when faced with the dilemma of choosing a quick getaway in the months usually affiliated with debauchery, floating cocktails, and sunburns even worse than the all-day hangover?

— Marie Claire, "Cancun: Not Just a Spring Break Destination," 5 May 2010
According to Yahoo Lifestyle, 17-year-old Lizzy Martinez opted to go braless to spare her recently sunburned shoulders.

— mekita rivas, Teen Vogue, "A Student Was Reportedly Made to Wear Band-Aids on Her Nipples Because She Went Braless to School," 9 Apr. 2018
In fact, in a recent interview about Black Panther, Angela Bassett said that some actors' eyes were sunburned while filming the waterfall scene, because the reflection was so intense.

— refinery29.com, "Yes, Your Eyeballs Can Get Sunburned &, Wow, It Sounds Awful," 21 Mar. 2018
Expert fix: Though aloe has always been the go-to sunburn soother because of its ability to cool skin and take down redness, Dhaval G. Bhanusali, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City thinks hyaluronic acid is even more effective.

— nicole catanese, Cosmopolitan, "The 8 Most Annoying Skin Problems Every Girl Deals With," 24 Aug. 2017
The line between sun-kissed and sunburned, one of the summer’s most alluring and dangerous games, is a thin one.

— mackenzie wagoner, Vogue, "This Pro Surfer’s Skin Secret Is Worth Stealing Now," 12 Aug. 2017
Sunscald - Green tomatoes can get sunburned if exposed.

— kym pokorny, OregonLive.com, "Grow the best tomatoes by recognizing, and solving, common problems," 11 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sunburn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sunburn

back-formation from sunburned, from sun + burned

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

sunburn

noun

Definition of sunburn

: inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight

See sunburn defined for English-language learners

Examples of sunburn in a Sentence

He has a bad sunburn.
Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

Recent Examples of sunburn from the Web

Going through high school can feel like walking around with a severe sunburn where every touch can be a painful reminder of our vulnerability.

— kareem abdul-jabbar, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: How high school sports made me a better person," 7 May 2018
Nicholas was rescued as a calf on Christmas Eve 2002 along with mother Noelle, both stranded and suffering from third-degree sunburns.

— richard tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Pinellas County: Winter and Hope hold court," 6 May 2018
Make Marine Salve $20 on makebeauty.com Between lake water, sun and sand sapping the moisture out of your skin, this universal salve is great to slather on any chapped lips, cracked skin or sunburns that may thwart your fun day at the beach.

— shelbie lynn bostedt, RedEye Chicago, "Get summer ready with these beach essentials," 11 June 2017
Hero number 10, Peter O'Toole's Lawrence of Arabia, runs around the desert for months without suffering so much as a mild sunburn.

— steve mirsky, Scientific American, "Dermatologists Find That Memorable Movie Villains Are Distinguished by Facial Skin Conditions," 1 Sep. 2017
Mark Vail—60, bushy white beard, sunburn-red face, wool beret—came here in 1977, caught 35 pounds of king salmon dip-netting, and decided this was the place for him.

— nathaniel wilder, Smithsonian, "A Daring Journey Into the Big Unknown of America’s Largest National Park," 18 Apr. 2018
Most of the workmen wore sleeveless shirts, and all were red-spattered and generally a sunburn shade of maraschino red.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "The Maraschino Mogul’s Secret Life," 17 Apr. 2018
Most of the foliar problems that arise are usually due to sunburn, bacteria, mold, dehydration or chemical burns.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Heuchera is easy to grow and adds color to gardens | Idaho Statesman," 11 Apr. 2018
Protecting your skin from the dangerous UV rays that contribute to sunburn is challenging enough.

— susan brickell, Health.com, "This Blogger Applies Sunscreen Like a Mustache to Prevent Melasma—Does That Really Work?," 9 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of sunburn

1652

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SUNBURN Defined for English Language Learners

sunburn

noun

Definition of sunburn for English Language Learners

: a condition in which your skin becomes sore and red from too much sunlight

SUNBURN Defined for Kids

sunburn

noun sun·burn \ ˈsən-ˌbərn \

Definition of sunburn for Students

: a sore red state of the skin caused by too much sunlight

sunburn

verb

Definition of sunburn for Students

sunburned \-ˌbərnd\ or sunburnt \-ˌbərnt\; sunburning

: to burn or discolor by exposure to the sun

Medical Dictionary

sunburn

transitive verb sun·burn \ -ˌbərn \

medical Definition of sunburn

sunburned play \-ˌbərnd\ or sunburnt play \-ˌbərnt\; sunburning

: to affect with sunburn

sunburned skin

sunburn

noun

medical Definition of sunburn

: inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight — called also erythema solare

Learn More about sunburn

See words that rhyme with sunburn Spanish Central: Translation of sunburn Nglish: Translation of sunburn for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sunburn

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up sunburn? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

sunburn

Definition of sunburn

Recent Examples of sunburn from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sunburn

sunburn

Definition of sunburn

Examples of sunburn in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sunburn from the Web

First Known Use of sunburn

SUNBURN Defined for English Language Learners

sunburn

Definition of sunburn for English Language Learners

SUNBURN Defined for Kids

sunburn

Definition of sunburn for Students

sunburn

Definition of sunburn for Students

Medical Dictionary

sunburn

medical Definition of sunburn

sunburn

medical Definition of sunburn

Learn More about sunburn

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word